The Midi Setup page appears in the Workspace Options property window.
In addition to the controls shown below, there are extra buttons which are common to all property windows.
This page allows you to select the Midi devices and options you wish to use for generating sound and recording musical events. It can also adjust the animated display that Songtrix presents during playback.
Controls
Midi Input
This drop-down list allows you to select which Midi Input device to use for recording and for Midi Thru in the workspace. If no device is selected here, some functions of Songtrix will not be available.
Typically the Midi Input device is a port on your computer to which you connect a Midi-capable piano keyboard, or other Midi instrument.
In addition, there is a virtual Qwerty Keyboard device available, provided internally by Songtrix, which can use your computer keyboard as virtual piano keyboard, if you do not have a real one attached.
Input Details
Opens the Midi Input Details window to show the details of the selected Midi Input device. If no device is selected, this button is not active.
Midi Output
This list allows you to select which Midi Output device to use as the synthesizer for playback. If no device is selected here, many functions in Songtrix will be unavailable, and it will be unable to generate sound.
The devices listed here vary depending on which sound hardware or software you have installed on your system. At a minimum, you should have the Midi devices which are supplied as part of Windows.
Test Device
Plays a simple musical sequence to audition the sound of the selected Midi Output device. If no device is selected, this button is not active.
Output Details
Opens the Midi Output Details window to show the details of the selected Midi Output device. If no device is selected, this button is not active.
Timer Precision
Controls the precision of the timer in the Midi engine within Songtrix. A smaller value is preferable to give more accurate timing of sounds during playback. If this causes performance problems on older computers, you can select a larger value to reduce stress on the system.
Display Updates
Controls how frequently the work sheet, staff sheet and segment sheet displays are updated during playback. It is expressed as fractions of a quarter note.
A smaller value is preferable to give more frequent updates, and therefore a smoother animation. If this causes performance problems on older computers, you can select a larger value to reduce stress on the system.
Display Scrolling
Controls the way in which work sheet, staff sheet and segment sheet displays are shifted during playback.
Step - the regions remain still as the playback marker moves across to almost the end, then they are scrolled by a step of just less than the region width.
Smooth - the regions continuously scroll as the playback marker tries to remain stationary in the centre.
Smooth scrolling can give a more pleasing effect, but if it causes screen flicker or performance problems on older computers, you can use step scrolling instead.
Workspace Channels
Specifies which Midi channels you want to use for general workspace sounds and the Songtrix tutorials. Two channels are needed, so the options are presented in pairs.
You should always allocate these to channels not being used by the current song, so the best setting is (auto), which automatically avoids the song channels. However you may have a reason for choosing particular channels.
Metronome Channel
Specifies which Midi channel you want to use for the metronome which accompanies the song during playback.
You need to select a channel not being used by the current song, so the best setting is (auto), which avoids the song channels. However you may have a reason for choosing a particular channel.
Midi Thru
Opens the Midi Thru property window, which allows you to adjust the behavior of Midi Thru in the workspace, and when recording from a piano keyboard, or other Midi instrument.
Reset
Resets all values on the page to their default settings, except the Midi Input, Midi Output or Midi Thru details, which have reset buttons in their own popup windows.
Tools
